The first thing I identified with in Sara B Kajder's chapter of our book was her quote: "technology doesn't make our work any tidier." That gem is highlighted, underlined and starred in my book; I may even write a short story about it later. Why? This is because I identify with the simplicity of truth. I always hear people talk about the organizational, handy, helpful nature that technology provides for any profession when in fact that is not always the case. Not only do we have to first understand the tech, but we have to figure out a way to apply it in a fashion that all students (this does apply in most other fields) can readily understand. In a previous blog, I mentioned my sister's ability to wield tech like Lancelot wields a sword with minimal training and Kajder's chapter highlights the fact that most children today are much more comfortable with technology at an earlier age than adults who have been exposed to technology longer. Yes, the technology gap is declining seeing as everyone wears an Ipad or Iphone or the cursed Nook/Kindle like bling, but there are students who may not be as savvy with a mouse (myself included in that category). To bring this thought full circle: the person using the technology, not the technology itself that makes it tidy. How they incorporate technology into their daily lives and stick to it determines the effectiveness; kind of like a diet plan, only for mental health.
Kajder returns to a similar theme that Beers touched on in her first chapter: students feel like "school is about fitting things into tight little boxes that you measure with a test." They oppose restrictive curriculum and so do I. One way to escape the lecture drone trap is by making class fun! active! relevant! Well, that sounds great, but there does need to be some learning that goes on, which is where relevancy comes in. (For the most part) teachers want their students to do well AND enjoy their time in the classroom and in order to do that, there needs to be the addition of tools. Kajder's chapter brings out the technology aspect. The list of reading and writing that kids are engaging in outside of school seems fairly familiar: weblogs, fanfiction, wikis, podcasts, digital video, etc. Yes, I engage in the guilty pleasure of fanfiction, but beyond that podcasts are the primary technology I frequently use. Listening to Mugglecast (a Harry Potter based podcast) Hypable (a fandom based podcast) and RoosterTeeth (a machinima based podcast); I can listen to people talk about what is relevant for me. They are also a source for news on specific subjects.
I consider the podcast to be a new level of radio: people who would've never been connected prior can reach out and vocally share information relevant to both. Incorporating podcasts into the classroom setting can bring an outsiders opinion on a topic. I know my future students will hang on to my every word and revere the insight I bring on our reading material--Othello, for example--but having an outsider's opinion couldn't hurt either. Literary podcasts are available on Itunes and (with extensive screening before they reach the classroom) can easily be transferred into the classroom environment, even if I have to bring in my own laptop to do it.
The class blog is also a tool that has great potential for classrooms, particularly for high school. The students can share their responses, observations, creative ideas all based on the same assignment and break through the stone wall of silence that often occurs in a class discussion (the fact that Kadjer encourages it to be self-governed, not teacher governed, also makes it appealing). By starting with this medium, I have a feeling that students could organize their thoughts easier and then make the outstanding contribution to class discussion that teachers dream of on the eve of the First Day of School. I guess this is leading up to the fact that I would use class web blogs as a catalyst for class discussion. Despite my minimal experience in front of the classroom, I am fairly confident that I hate lecture-based class time (with the burning passion of a thousand and one suns), especially when I am the lecturer.
Concluding thought: Technology is great, but it can't replace real instruction.
Once again, brilliantly worded!
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